Page 42 of The Typo

‘It clashes with the Cellar Bar opening, botheration,’ I said.

‘No, not botheration at all. The guy deserved everything he got, including the ice cubes down the back of his designer shirt.’ Liv paused. ‘You weren’t listening to a word I said, were you?’

‘Sorry, Liv. I’m a terrible sister, I know.’

I could almost see her shaking her head in mock anger.

‘My life has never been the same since you came along and stole my thunder, Twinkle Star,’ she said. ‘And that was one of my best New York nightmare dating scene anecdotes as well.’

‘Tell me again?’ I invited.

‘I don’t think it works quite so well on the second telling. Go on then, what are you botherating about? Tell your big sis.’

I conducted a quiet deliberation with myself. On the one hand if I told Liv about the orchestra audition, she’d be bound to blab to my parents and the loving support which I knew would then ensue from my whole family would be overwhelming. On the other hand, I could really do with some advice and reassurance, and who better to offer it than the sibling who’d been there for me since I was a tiny scrap of a thing?

‘I’ve started playing the violin again,’ I said quickly, then held the phone away from my ear as the entirely predictable babble of excitement and questioning was delivered at high pitch. I re-read the entire email from the orchestra administrator while I let Liv work it out of her system.

‘Finished?’ I asked.

‘You’re such a spoilsport, Amy. Do the ’rents know? Where are you playing? Have you quit your job yet? You can’t drop a bombshell like that and not expect to get grilled within an inch of your life about it.’

‘I swear living in New York is bad for you. It’s made you blunter than ever.’ I laughed. ‘Fair enough, I suppose you need to know the context. The answers are as follows: no; anywhere that will take me; and most definitely not. Comprende?’

I could picture her screwing her face up in concentration as she tried to remember the questions she’d asked and in which order.

‘Okay, the only thing I think I’ve got clear is the “anywhere that will take you” part. Would you like to elaborate?’

‘Right. Well, first of all, no, Mum and Dad do not know, and we’re going to keep it that way for the time being, aren’t we?’

I waited for her to agree.

‘Aren’t we?’ I pressed, when the vow of silence was not forthcoming.

‘Fine, be like that.’ She sighed. ‘I’ll promise totryto keep it quiet, but you know what your mum is like. Her talent for sniffing out a secret would put the KGB to shame.’

I suppose that was as close to reassurance as I was going to get from Liv.

‘And I’m definitely not quitting my job,’ I continued. ‘It’s far too early doors for that kind of thing. But I’ve been out busking for charity, which I actually enjoyed, I’ll have you know, and I’ve been given a date to audition for the Edinburgh Amateur Orchestral Society. Don’t be put off by the word “amateur” in their name. They are professionals in all but the pay side of things. In fact, lots of their players have actually gone on to make music their careers.’

‘That’s fab news, Amy. They’ll snap you up. Edinburgh Amateur Orchestral Society today, tomorrow, taking centre stage back at Usher Hall where you belong. Oh, I might even have to do a little happy dance, and you know New York has made me far too cynical to do that kind of thing on a regular basis.’

‘You have a lot of faith in me.’

‘Well, someone has to,’ she retorted. ‘Although I’m hoping that this is an indication you’re starting to regain it in yourself, eh?’

‘Maybe a little,’ I admitted. ‘But before you get too carried away, there’s a problem.’

‘There is no such thing as problems, only growth opportunities with solutions to be found,’ recited Liv.

I pretended to gag down the phone. ‘Really? They actually pay you to spout that kind of nonsense?’

Liv laughed. ‘Yep, that’s how I make the megabucks, baby. I put on my best stern face. That combined with the Scottish accent and they’re putty in my hands. But seriously, it may sound like corporate rubbish, but there is an element of truth in it. I’m sure if we put our heads together, we’ll come up with a solution for your dilemma.’

‘Obviously it’s great news that they’re giving me an audition, but it couldn’t be at a worse time as it clashes with the opening night of the Cellar Bar.’

I quickly filled my sister in on all the hard work we’d been carrying out to create the new venue, and my hopes for how it might turn around the Variety’s fortunes.

‘Very entrepreneurial. I should refer some of my clients to you when they’re struggling to think outside the box,’ she said. It felt good to hear the pride in my sister’s voice.

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